What happened to Tiffany Maher? Details about Killer Chemistry subject explored

Tiffany Maher was a Northeastern State University professor in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, who was brutally murdered back in 2013. It was one of those incidents that sent shock waves throughout the city. Because of its brutality and the controversial nature of the trial in the aftermath, the case received quite a lot of publicity.

Maher's case has a horrific background because her murder was committed by Joshua Schneider, a person she had met through an online dating site. What seemed to be an innocent meeting proved to be a tragedy. Schneider killed Maher in her home and set Maher and the house on fire, committing an arson act to hide the body of his victim. The verdict found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree arson, and theft after an eight-day trial.

He was given three life sentences consecutively. Since his sentencing, Schneider has continued to claim that he is innocent of the crimes above. He also filed an appeal of the convictions because evidence during his trial was not sufficient, and he believed the sentences handed to him were excessive.

Investigation Discovery revisits Tiffany Maher's life and untimely death in the upcoming episode of Killer Chemistry. Viewers can watch the episode on ID.

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The murder of Tiffany Maher

The murder of Tiffany Maher was one dreadful incident that shook the city of Tahlequah. On the day of her death, Maher was at her residence when Joshua Schneider arrived, whom she had met online. Schneider was later accused of killing Maher in a violent altercation and then setting her body and house on fire to destroy evidence.

House on fire (image via Unsplash)

The crime scene was gruesome, with the fire causing significant damage to the home. Thus, Schneider became an early prime suspect and was arrested, tried, and convicted. The evidence presented in court showed the heinousness of the action carried out by him, and the jury found him guilty.

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Trial of Joshua Schneider and its aftermath

One highly publicized trial was that of Joshua Schneider. The trial was followed, not only because of the nature of the crime itself but most especially due to evidence that came forward during the case. Schneider had been indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree arson, and robbery; the prosecution contended he had befriended Tiffany Maher to harm her.

Court trial (image via Unsplash)

At the eight-day trial, the jury heard testimony from witnesses and presented evidence that tied Schneider to the crime. Following his declarations of innocence, the jury convicted him on all counts and sentenced him to three consecutive life sentences. The sentences were not light, and this showed the atrocity of the crime as well as the effect it had on Tiffany Maher's family and society in general.

After conviction, Joshua Schneider and his attorneys began the appeal process. He appealed on several grounds, including insufficient evidence to support his convictions and trial court error that deprived him of a fair trial. He asserted that the trial court erred in denying his motion to change the venue; thereby, the selection of a jury of peers was unfair.

Courtroom (image via Unsplash)

Furthermore, Schneider's appeal insisted that the three life sentences were disproportionate. Thus, his rights under the Eighth Amendment had been violated. The court refused Schneider's appeal, reaffirming his punishment in 2017.

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The brutal murder of Tiffany Maher and the subsequent trial and conviction of Joshua Schneider remains a poignant reminder of the dangers that can arise from online interactions. The case is still relevant today, at least partly because it has been refreshed in true crime shows like Killer Chemistry on ID.